Youth Pitchers throwing High and Away to Hitters: Common Mechanical Problem
Consistent ball path that is high or more typical high and away to the RHH is the fault of a "late arm path
from hand separation".
Fault/Correction teaching technique for High and Away or High Pitch path:
1-When the Pitcher separates his hands post lead leg all the way up in a "balance position" or what
Pitching Coaches call the "strike foot" {the foot you land on when you are pitching} the hand path
should be thumbs down and then thumbs away in the same hand path that a musical conductor uses to
conduct the orchestra.
2- With thumbs down and up and away the strike foot landing should place the hand above the head in
the 3/4 arm slot and facing essentially SS from the mound.
3-The "teachable moment" you hear from Pitching Coaches is “when your strike foot lands your arm
path and hand need to be in throwing slot". "Foot down-Arm up".
4-Teaching Diagnostic Skill: Stand on the side of the pitcher. RHP the coach stands with his back to 3B.
Opposite for a LHP. Upon balance point {strike leg up} the coach needs to watch two things at a time.
Hand Path upon separation and where is hand path when the Strike foot hits the ground.
5-Drill to correct: Whole-Part-Whole Concept
A-Place the Pitcher in the Strike Foot landing position with his hand in the desired arm slot. Slight flex in
back knee and throw the ball 6-8 times to a catcher target getting the feeling of the proper "finishing
position". Then back the teaching up to where the Pitcher starts in the "Balance up" {leg up }
Position. Leg up and land and throw the ball x 6-8 throws. Then start from either the Stretch and
execute or the Wind up and execute.
I can show everyone when we play and the Travel coaches on Sunday.
PS: When your Pitchers warm up to pitch in a game or they do a bullpen have a player stand in with a
helmet and the Bat on his shoulder so you are practicing "specific " to what you will playing.